K3.1 – K3.6 – Assisting with skin integrity assessments, and with the care and treatment of skin conditions. Flashcards by Abbie Richardson (2025)

What role does the skin play in homeostasis?

The skin plays a role in thermoregulation, helping maintain body temperature.

What are the three layers of the skin?

The epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis.

What mechanical function does the skin serve?

The skin acts as a mechanical barrier, blocking pathogens from entering the body and acting as a seal against microbes with low permeability.

What do corneocytes in the skin resemble?

Corneocytes resemble bricks, tightly bound or stuck together, giving the skin a texture like a brick wall under a microscope.

What happens during vasodilation?

During vasodilation, the blood vessels dilate (widen), causing blood to move towards the surface of the skin, aiding heat loss.

What happens when the body’s temperature falls?

The body responds by stimulating muscle actions like shivering and raising surface hair to trap air for warmth.

What is vasoconstriction, and how does it help preserve heat?

In vasoconstriction, muscles around capillaries contract, limiting blood flow to the skin’s surface and preventing heat loss through the epidermis.

How does the body minimize heat loss when cold?

The lumen of arterioles decreases in circumference, diverting blood to a shunt vessel in the hypodermis, which is insulated with subcutaneous fat.

Where are sudoriferous (sweat) glands located?

Sweat glands are located in the deeper layer of the skin, in the dermis

Where are apocrine glands located and what is their function?

Apocrine glands are situated near hair follicles, and they release sweat that follows the hair to the surface of the skin

What antibiotic agent is found in sweat, and what is its function?

Sweat contains dermcidin, which chemically protects the surface of the skin by acting as an antibiotic agent.

What is synthesized in the skin when exposed to sunlight?

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is synthesized from a derivative steroid cholesterol in the skin when exposed to sunlight.

How is cholecalciferol converted in the body?

The liver converts cholecalciferol to calciol, and then the kidneys further process it.

What role does calcitriol play in the body?

Calcitriol influences renal absorption of calcium.

What is the basal layer of the epidermis made up of?

The basal layer is made up of basal cells, and it produces melanin through melanocytes, which determines skin color.

What role do keratinocytes play in the skin?

Keratinocytes produce keratin, which forms a tight, waterproof barrier that protects and strengthens the skin.

What is the role of Langerhans cells in the skin?

Langerhans cells prevent foreign substances from penetrating the skin and are part of the skin’s T-cell immune response.

What is elastin, and what role does it play in the skin?

Elastin is a protein combined with microfibrils to form elastic fibers, allowing the skin to stretch and retract.

How does smoking affect the skin?

Smoking causes nicotine to enter the bloodstream, damaging blood capillaries and reducing the flow of oxygenated blood to skin cells.

How does nicotine affect the structure of the skin?

Nicotine changes the structure of the skin by affecting fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce collagen.

How does alcohol affect the skin?

Alcohol is a diuretic, causing water to be lost from the body, which can lead to dehydration and damage to the skin.

How do blood thinners affect the skin?

Blood thinners can cause a diminishing dermis layer, making the skin more vulnerable to bruising and prolonged bleeding under the skin if injured.

How do anticoagulant medications affect wound healing?

Anticoagulant medications prevent clot formation, making it harder for wounds to heal.

How does diabetes impact the skin, particularly on the feet?

High concentrations of glucose in the bloodstream can lead to diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which reduces sensation in the skin on the feet.

How can pallor be assessed for all skin complexions?

Pallor for all skin complexions can be assessed by examining blood flow to the lower eyelid.

What should the conjunctival color appear like when gently pulling down the lower eyelid?

The conjunctival color should appear a healthy pink, confirming the presence of red-colored oxyhaemoglobin.

What is hyperkeratosis?

Hyperkeratosis occurs when a person’s skin becomes thicker than usual in different places.

What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and what does it cause?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a germ that causes skin infections and is a common hospital pathogen.

What is a first-degree burn?

A first-degree burn causes damage to the epidermis.

What is a second-degree burn?

A second-degree burn causes damage to the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin.

What is a third-degree burn?

A third-degree burn, also known as a full-thickness burn, destroys both the epidermis and dermis.

Why are first and second-degree burns painful?

First and second-degree burns are painful because they damage the nerves in the skin.

Why do third-degree burns cause less pain or no pain?

Third-degree burns burn through the layers where nerves are located, meaning they do not hurt or create less pain.

What characterizes Stage 1 of a skin injury?

In Stage 1, the injury does not break the skin, and the affected area appears red or dusky in color.

What happens in Stage 2 of a skin injury?

In Stage 2, the injury causes a break in the epidermis and sometimes affects the top of the dermis.

What is characteristic of Stage 3 of a skin injury?

In Stage 3, the injury completely affects the epidermis, dermis, and fatty tissue, and the skin may appear sloughy or infected.

What is observed in Stage 4 of a skin injury?

Stage 4 involves a deep penetrating wound where muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones may be visible.